SEOPOS - Search Engine Optimisation

Registering a domain name is the process you go though when you buy a name for your web site. Its a simple process and one that anyone can do online with a credit card. Its surprisingly cheap, costing only a few pounds (or dollars) per domain per year. Some domains, like .com are more expensive than others. Some are restricted to certain groups or organisations. (.edu for educational establishments for example).

If you already have a businees you already have a name. However the most important thing to remember about your website, is that unless your target visitors know your name site (or you intend to spend a lot of money on advertising) your web (domain) address doesnt actually need to be your company name. Its normally of more value to register a domain name that relates to what you do rather than who you are. For example; if I was Smith and Sons Lts and sold fish in newport, I would be better off with a website domain like newportfish.co.uk rather then smithandsons.co.uk (i’ve not checked to see if these have been used!)

In some ways its a bit like a pet hat of mine: when I see a van that has printed on the side in large letters something like “Smith Ltd - you can trust us every time” - what on earth does that mean? - It doesnt tell me anything. If you are going to go to the bother of printing something on the side of your van, you really must say what you do!. Similarly with business cards, I get quite a lot handed to me, and how many do I look at 12 months on and think “great so I have a name a number and a logo - I have no idea what they do”… anyway rant over…

So, your web site name (your domain name) should relate to your business or services. of course the next step is to register more than one (and you can have as many as you like pointing to the same website.) The next best thing is to register multiple domains.